Olympian Alyce Burnett’s quirky name change dilemma

Ploughing through the water at Olympic standard lends itself to a clear mind but this canoe sprint champion jokingly admits a name change has proved tougher.

PLOUGHING through the water at Olympic standard lends itself to a clear mind but canoe sprint champion Alyce Wood jokingly admits a name change has proved tougher.

The 27-year-old Elanora resident (nee Burnett) married long-time partner, fellow Rio Games kayaker Jordan Wood, 25, on October 26 at Sol Gardens in Currumbin Valley.

While it has been smooth sailing since the nuptials, with both Alyce and Jordan – the son of former Olympic pair Steve and Anna Wood – eyeing a Tokyo start next year, the wedded bliss has been met with some moments of confusion.

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Gold Coast kayak athletes Jordan Wood and wife Alyce Burnett at the Rio Olympic Games. Picture: SUPPLIED

One such lighthearted incident came as the pair, racing at a competition for the first time since the name change, impressed at the weekend’s regatta in Adelaide.

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“Jordan and I have been together for so long that I think all of our competitors and officials knew this name change was coming years ago,” former Sunshine Coaster Alyce said. “It’s myself and my family who are the most confused. There was a few times I didn’t respond to my name being called out over the weekend and my sister even messaged me asking if I’d remembered to enter the event because she could find my name.”

Gold Coast kayak athletes Jordan Wood and wife Alyce Burnett. Picture: Florin Lane Photography

Confusion aside, Alyce scorched her way to a clean sweep in the women’s events, winning the K1 200 and 500 as well as the K2 200 and 500 with partner Alyssa Bull.

Meanwhile Jordan and Riley Fitzsimmons, on the team that combined for fourth in the K4 1000 in Rio, proved they’re real contenders in Tokyo for the K2 1000 after winning the event in a quality field by six seconds.

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Though Alyce admits the celebrations are left until after each regatta.

“When we’re in kayak mode Jordan becomes the third wheel to my K2 partner, Aly Bull, and myself and vice versa for him and Riley Fitzsimmons,” she laughed.

“We by no means ignore each other but we know that we’re there for business which means full focus on our events and teammates until the end of the regatta.

“Essentially we become really close teammates where we wish each other good luck for races and check in afterwards, however our check-ins just include a sneaky hug and kiss.”

Either way the formula is working.

Gold Coast kayak athletes Jordan Wood and wife Alyce Burnett with their gold medals won five years apart at the World Championships. Picture: SUPPLIED

The weekend’s regatta came without the pressure of Olympic selection but the heat is turned up in February’s second Grand Prix meet which is the first round of Tokyo selections.

“The plan was to train right through the regatta over the weekend so I wasn’t 100 per cent sure how I would go, so to come away with a win in all my events is definitely exciting,” Alyce said.

“The first regatta of the season is always a good opportunity to see where you’re at, and while I came away with some wins, the races certainly highlighted areas I need to work on.

“Mentally it’s always comforting to know that my training has clearly worked in the off-season and I’m in a good position leading into the selection events.”

As for avoiding the indulgent festivities over the Christmas period?

“A recovery week has been schedule for over the Christmas and New Years period which means the loading is dialled back,” Alyce said.

“We don’t get given a break from everything, but we also know that letting our hair down a bit over the festive season will make sure we’re refreshed and ready for a huge 2020.”

In other weekend results under-23 world champion Tom Green won the K1 1000, while new Aussie citizen Jean van der Westhuyzen claimed a podium spot in the MK1 1000 and MK2 1000 with Green.